The Passengers(97)
Noah looked to the ground. ‘I never imagined the extremes they’d take it to.’
‘Where were you on that day? Because you weren’t in the car we were watching.’
‘For the actual-time images, I was in a stationary car in a barn in the west of Ireland, surrounded by green screens. They used live footage from the other car as a backdrop to make it look as if I was on those roads. My reaction to Victor’s death was a hundred per cent genuine horror, along with me fighting to try and get out of the car they had me locked in. They cut my sound and looped older footage so you couldn’t hear me begging them to stop and threatening to tell the viewers everything. They warned me if I didn’t act along, they’d kill all the Passengers – and you. I couldn’t let them do that. And of course I had no idea they were going to make cars across the country collide.’
‘Where have you been hiding?’
‘Various countries. I’ve only ever met half a dozen of those involved. They arranged safe houses in places with no extradition treaties with the UK. As long as I keep my head down, don’t bring attention to myself or cause their governments any trouble, they’ll continue to shelter me. But I have no security. They can throw me to the wolves any time they like.’
‘And your brother?’
‘I have no idea. I haven’t been able to contact him since the day of the hijack.’
Libby shut her eyes tightly as she tried to digest Noah’s version of events. She couldn’t deny he made a compelling case and his body language indicated a man tormented by remorse. ‘Why now?’ she asked. ‘Why did you come and find me?’
‘I don’t care what the rest of the world thinks of me, I only care about you. I need you to know the way I was with you that night in Manchester and as a Passenger was the real me, not the me you’ve spent the last six months doubting.’
‘Doubting?’ she repeated, raising her brow. ‘That’s one hell of an understatement. You manipulated me and you used my brother’s death to do it. You took the single worst moment of my life and used Nicky to make me buy into your lies. Isn’t that who you really are?’
‘It’s not, I promise. Let me prove it to you. Come away with me.’
Libby thought she had misheard. ‘What?’
‘I have contacts who can get us anywhere in the world we want to be. Then we can get to know one another properly away from all of this. We can start again.’
Libby’s laugh took her as much by surprise as it did Noah. ‘Are you being serious? Why would I do that?’
‘Because you know as well as I do, despite everything, there is still something between us. It’s something I’ve only ever felt once before, with my wife. And I have to see where it goes. You can’t deny that you still have an attraction to me. Despite your bravado and all you think you know about me, you’ve still come here because there’s a part of you that wants to believe the man you have feelings for is not a bad person.’
‘This is ridiculous,’ said Libby, shaking her head vigorously. ‘I have a life, I have a new purpose, I’m doing well, I’m making changes in the world. Why would I give all of that up for a man whose friends murdered more than a thousand people? You’re mad.’
‘Libby, I swear to God I didn’t want it to happen. And I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to put things right if you let me. You can help me to make up for the terrible things that evolved from my idea.’
Libby rose to her feet and began pacing the room. ‘How can I?’ she asked. ‘Even if you’re telling the truth, you were still the catalyst. If you really do regret what happened, why don’t you hand yourself in to the police? Explain to them everything you’ve told me tonight. Prove to me in more than words that you are the man I first thought you were.’
Noah ran his hands through his hair then clasped his hands together as if in prayer. ‘I can’t, Libby,’ he pleaded. ‘They will throw everything they can at me, and some. I have only a few names I can give them, no details of where to find anyone, no proof that I didn’t orchestrate the whole thing. I can do more good on the outside than I can behind bars. Yes, I know there will be people who’ll feel they’ve got justice if they see me locked up, but with your help, I can offer so much more as a free man.’
Noah moved towards her for a second time and, again, she backed away.
‘What about if I recorded my confession and made it public once we reach wherever we’re going to?’ he offered. ‘Would that help change your mind?’
‘Jude …’ she began, then corrected herself, ‘Noah, are you listening to yourself? We’d be constantly looking over our shoulders, we’d never be able to rest. I can’t, I won’t, live my life like that. I want the things normal people want and none of this … none of it … is normal.’
‘We can have everything we want, just under abnormal circumstances. And you can continue your campaign work with proper funding behind you and an extended global reach. You can even start a charity under your brother’s name to help people with mental health issues if you like – I can access money to allow all of that to happen. I’m offering you the world, Libby, and I’m throwing myself in with the bargain. The real me. Please, I’m begging you to consider it.’